Chapter 15 : Heading Towards A Historic Defeat??

The interviewer smiled as she flipped to the next section of her notes. "Mr. Advay, we've talked about your business journey, but there's another side of you that's just as fascinating—your cricketing career. Running a billion-dollar company is one thing, but excelling in a professional sport at the same time? That's unheard of. How do you balance both?"

Advay leaned forward slightly, his expression as calm as ever. "For me, cricket isn't something I do on the side—it's a part of who I am. Business and cricket may seem completely different, but at their core, they both require the same things—discipline, strategy, and execution."

She nodded. "That's an interesting way to look at it. But between the two, which one do you prioritize?"

Advay didn't hesitate. "Right now, cricket. Business is something I've built to sustain itself. I have a team running daily operations, and I only step in when necessary. But cricket? That requires me to be there every single day, putting in the effort, training, improving. If I don't work on it constantly, I fall behind."

The interviewer tapped her pen against her notepad. "That makes sense. And speaking of cricket, your performance in the U-16 Cooch Behar Trophy has been nothing short of remarkable. A 204 in the semifinal, leading Karnataka to the final—it's almost as if you were made for the sport."*

Advay gave a small, thoughtful nod. "Cricket has always been a passion for me. But in my previous life—" He stopped himself briefly before continuing. "I mean, in my younger years, I never really got the chance to pursue it seriously. So now that I have the opportunity, I want to make the most of it."

The interviewer raised an eyebrow slightly at his wording but let it slide. "And you've been training under one of the greatest cricketers of all time—Sunil Gavaskar. That's not something many young players can say."

Advay smirked. "That was unexpected. It wasn't planned. He saw me bat once and decided to coach me. I consider myself lucky to have learned from someone like him."

She chuckled. "Lucky? From what I've heard, luck had nothing to do with it. Gavaskar himself reportedly said that you have the potential to become one of the best in the world."

Advay simply shrugged. "That's his belief. My job is to prove it right."

Advay's emerald-green eyes remained calm as he listened to the interviewer's final question. He had answered each one with clarity and confidence, giving just enough insight without over-explaining.

After a brief pause, he responded, "Right now, my focus is on winning the U-16 Cooch Behar Trophy with Karnataka. After that, I'll see where the journey takes me. One step at a time."

The interviewer smiled, clearly impressed. She closed her notepad and set her pen down. "Mr. Advay, this has been one of the most fascinating interviews I've conducted. You're an entrepreneur, an athlete, and somehow, still just 13. It's truly remarkable."

Advay gave a polite nod. "Thank you."

She extended her hand. "I wish you the best of luck in both your business and cricketing career. Something tells me we'll be hearing a lot more about you in the future."

Advay shook her hand firmly, his expression unwavering. "We'll see."

With that, the interview concluded. As the Forbes team packed up their equipment, Advay stood up, buttoning his suit jacket before stepping out of his office.

By the time he got into his car, the sun was already setting, casting a golden hue over the city skyline. The drive home was quiet, allowing him a rare moment of reflection.

As he stepped into the house, the familiar warmth of home greeted him—Ilana's cooking filling the air, Aditi lounging on the sofa, and Arjun flipping through a business report at the dining table. It was a stark contrast to the professional world he had just come from, but it was exactly what he needed.

For now, he could relax. But the final was just days away, and soon, his focus would be back on cricket.

The day of the U-16 Cooch Behar Trophy final had finally arrived—January 7, 2014. The atmosphere around the stadium was buzzing with energy, even though it wasn't a grand international venue. It was a modest cricket ground, with a well-maintained pitch and a small but dedicated crowd gathered in the stands, consisting mostly of families, local cricket enthusiasts, and selectors keeping an eye on young talent.

The winter sun cast a golden glow over the field, and the early morning chill had begun to fade, replaced by the warmth of anticipation. The two teams, Karnataka and Mumbai, had been the best throughout the tournament, and now, only one of them would lift the coveted trophy.

Commentator 1: "After weeks of intense competition, it all comes down to this—the final of the U-16 Cooch Behar Trophy! Two teams, Karnataka and Mumbai, have fought their way through the league stage and knockout rounds, and now they stand just one match away from lifting the prestigious trophy."

Commentator 2: "That's right! Both these teams have been in top form throughout the tournament, and it's only fitting that they meet in the grand finale. Let's take a look at how they got here."

The screen showed a recap of Karnataka's journey, highlighting their dominant run in the league stage, where they finished second on the table after nine matches.

Commentator 1: "Karnataka had an outstanding league phase, winning crucial games and proving themselves to be one of the strongest teams in the tournament. But it was in the semifinal where they truly stamped their authority. Chasing a massive 345-run target against Delhi, they pulled off one of the most dominant run chases we've ever seen in this competition."

A clip of Advay's unbeaten 204 played on the screen, showing him smashing sixes and fours all over the ground.

Commentator 2: "That semifinal performance was legendary! Karnataka didn't just win; they humiliated Delhi, chasing down 345 in just 38 overs without losing a wicket! Advay Rai's double century and Arjun's unbeaten 138 led them into this final in emphatic fashion."

The scene then shifted to Mumbai's journey, showing their consistent performances throughout the tournament.

Commentator 1: "On the other side, we have Mumbai, one of the most successful teams in U-16 history. They topped the league stage and have looked unstoppable so far. Their semifinal against Punjab was a hard-fought battle, but Mumbai held their nerve, defending a total of 278 with a brilliant bowling performance."

A clip of Mumbai's fast bowlers ripping through Punjab's middle order played, showing why they had been the most feared bowling attack in the tournament.

Commentator 2: "That's the big difference between these two teams—Karnataka's strength lies in their batting, while Mumbai has the most dangerous bowling attack in the tournament. It's going to be a classic battle of bat versus ball."

The camera panned to the captains walking out to the middle for the toss, with the trophy displayed proudly on a stand beside them.

Commentator 1: "It's almost time! Two teams, one trophy—who will take home the glory today?"

The two captains walked up to the center for the toss, shaking hands with the umpires before the coin was flipped into the air. The players from both teams stood around, watching intently as the decision would set the tone for the match.

The coin landed, and after a brief glance from the match referee, Karnataka's captain, Aryan, smiled and confidently announced, "We'll bat first."

A ripple of excitement went through the Karnataka dugout. Their batting lineup had been their biggest strength throughout the tournament, and choosing to bat first meant they wanted to put up a big total and apply pressure on Mumbai in the chase.

Mumbai's captain gave a small nod, already discussing fielding strategies with his bowlers.

With the decision made, the teams dispersed, and the Karnataka openers grabbed their gear, making their way onto the field. It was the same pair that had dominated in the semifinals—Arjun, the captain, and Advay.

As they stepped out of the pavilion, there was a quiet confidence in their stride. They had chased 345 without losing a wicket in the last match, and now, with the title on the line, they were ready to set the stage once again.

For the first ten overs, Advay and Arjun put on an absolute batting masterclass, tearing into Mumbai's bowling attack with precision and aggression. By the end of the powerplay, Karnataka had already stormed to 102 for no loss, setting the perfect foundation for a massive total.

Mumbai's bowlers tried everything—pace, swing, short balls, yorkers—but nothing seemed to trouble the Karnataka openers. Advay's timing was exquisite, while Arjun played with calculated aggression, rotating the strike and punishing anything loose.

In the second over, a Mumbai pacer bowled a slightly overpitched delivery, and Advay drove it elegantly past extra cover, the ball racing to the boundary.

Commentator 1: "What a shot! That's pure class from Advay Rai! Didn't try to hit it too hard—just timed it to perfection."

Two balls later, the bowler attempted a short ball, but Advay was quick on his feet, pulling it effortlessly over midwicket for six!

Commentator 2: "Oh, that's gone! Picked the length early, rocked back, and sent it into the stands! Karnataka are off to a flying start!"

Arjun, too, was in sublime touch. In the fifth over, a bowler angled one into his pads, and he flicked it beautifully past square leg for four.

By the eighth over, the Mumbai captain was visibly frustrated, bringing in his lead spinner to try and slow things down.

Commentator 1: "Mumbai are already on the back foot here! They need a breakthrough, and they need it fast!"

But Karnataka had no plans of slowing down. The spinner tossed one up outside off-stump, and Arjun stepped down the track, meeting it on the half-volley and lofting it over long-off for a massive six!

Commentator 2: "That's gone miles! Arjun is showing no mercy here!"

The crowd, though small, cheered loudly as the scoreboard continued ticking at an alarming rate. Mumbai's fielders looked tense, exchanging nervous glances as their bowlers ran out of ideas.

At the end of the 10th over, Karnataka stood at a commanding 102 for no loss. Advay was already at 56 off 31 balls, while Arjun was playing beautifully at 42 off 29 balls.

Commentator 1: "What an incredible start by Karnataka! 102 runs in the first ten overs—this is dominance of the highest order!"

Commentator 2: "If Mumbai doesn't break this partnership soon, this final could slip away from them very quickly!"

With Karnataka in complete control, the pressure was now entirely on Mumbai to find a breakthrough before it was too late.

For the next twenty overs, Advay and Arjun turned the match into a T20 spectacle, completely annihilating the Mumbai bowling attack. Every over saw boundaries flying, bowlers looking helpless, and fielders chasing leather as Karnataka piled on the runs at an astonishing rate.

By the time the 50 overs were completed, the scoreboard flashed an unbelievable 482 for no loss!

Commentator 1: "This is absolutely unreal! Karnataka has just rewritten the history books! 482 runs in 50 overs without losing a single wicket! What kind of cricket are we even watching?!"

Commentator 2: "It's not a final, it's a massacre! This isn't just an U-16 record—this is the kind of total you barely see at the international level!"

The onslaught began immediately after the 30th over, with Advay and Arjun throwing caution to the wind, launching sixes and fours at will. Mumbai tried everything—defensive fields, slower balls, bowling wide outside off—but nothing worked.

The carnage in numbers:

From 31 to 40 overs: 128 runs!From 41 to 50 overs: 93 runs!Final 20 overs tally: 221 runs!

41st over – Advay's aggression peaks

A Mumbai pacer, trying to go full and wide, was met with brutality as Advay walked across and scooped him over fine leg for six!

Commentator 1: "That is just outrageous! Advay Rai, you cannot be serious!"

Commentator 2: "You can try any length, any line—it doesn't matter. He has an answer for everything!"

The very next ball, the bowler went short, but Advay pulled it disdainfully into the second tier of the stands.

Records shattered:

Advay Rai: 270 off 158 balls* (22 fours, 11 sixes)Arjun: 210 off 142 balls* (19 fours, 9 sixes)Highest U-16 total in historyHighest partnership for any wicket in tournament history

By the time they walked off the field, the crowd—even the small Mumbai supporters section—stood up to applaud. The Mumbai players looked completely drained, some staring blankly at the scoreboard, others rubbing their faces in disbelief.

Commentator 1: "482 for no loss! Karnataka has not just dominated this final—they have buried Mumbai under a mountain of runs!"

Commentator 2: "This chase is going to be next to impossible. The pressure alone is enough to break a team."

With an unbelievable target of 483 runs to chase, Mumbai had no choice but to step up with a batting miracle—or face one of the most crushing defeats in U-16 history.